USA – Ukraine: "Stop attacks on Russian refineries"

The United States called on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. Washington told Kyiv that drone attacks could lead to higher oil prices and provoke retaliatory measures.

“Repeated warnings from Washington were addressed to senior officials of the SBU and the Military Intelligence Directorate, known as the GUR.”writes the Financial Times, citing sources.

“The White House is increasingly frustrated by the brazen attacks of Ukrainian drones” on the Russian oil industry, the newspaper writes. Washington is worried that oil prices have already risen by about 15% this year, to $85 per barrel. “This has driven up fuel prices just as US President Joe Biden begins his re-election campaign,” the article said. “Nothing scares a sitting American president more than rising fuel prices in an election year.” said Bob McNally, a former White House energy adviser.

The second fear of the Americans is that “Russia could strike back at the energy infrastructure on which the West relies.” This includes, in particular, the pipeline through which oil from Kazakhstan through Russia enters the world market. It is used by Western companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron. There have been at least 12 attacks on major Russian oil refineries since 2022 and at least nine this year, as well as several terminals, warehouses and storage facilities.

Zelensky called the FT report that the United States called on Ukraine to stop attacks on the oil infrastructure of the Russian Federation as “fictitious information.” The statement was made by the adviser to the head of the OP Podolyak.

“This is fictitious information. After two years of full-scale war, no one will dictate the terms of this war to Ukraine. Within the framework of international law, Ukraine can degrease Russian instruments of warfare. Fuel is the main weapon of warfare. Ukraine will destroy the fuel infrastructure,” – said Podolyak.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Stefanashina actually confirmed the FT information, saying that “we understand the calls of our American partners” but Ukraine responded to such calls “achieving your goals” And “very successful operations” on the territory of the Russian Federation.

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